David Haye – On the Spot

The Londoner became WBA world heavyweight champion when he beat Russian giant Nikolai Valuev last month and is one of ten stars up for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, which is on BBC from 7pm this Sunday.

I’ve been ram-jammed busy; different functions, charity events, dinners, TV shows, interviews. I didn’t expect 20 per cent of the stuff I’ve been doing, it’s overwhelming how interested people are. I know being heavyweight champion is a big deal and I’ve been a world cruiserweight champion but this is different.

People look at you in a different light, everyone wants a piece of you but I’m enjoying it. I’ve had sleep deprivation with how busy I am but I’ve met some wonderful people.

You’re up for the BBC Sports Personality award too.

Yeah, I wasn’t expecting that. People know how much I trash talk and that winds some of them up. I say some pretty nasty and un-PC things but I say it for the shock factor to sell fights.

Sports Personality people are usually clean-cut and don’t really say anything so I didn’t think I’d get a look in.

It’s true people who get nominated often are lacking in the personality department. Maybe that’s why you’re up for the award?

Yeah, but it rubs people up the wrong way, like when I wore a T-shirt with the decapitated heads of the Klitschko brothers – no way is that Sports Personality pedigree! The Valuev fight captured people’s imagination, although still I’m very surprised.

David Haye, right, and Joe Calzaghe attend the Avatar premiereBoxers have traditionally done very well, though.

Joe Calzaghe won it a couple of years ago and Ricky Hatton came second so yes, you’re right. But boxing’s a minority sport and most of the fights are pay-per-view so you don’t expect as many people to vote for you. I’ll be going up to Sheffield [for the awards] with my mates, we’ll have a great night out and I’ll enjoy mixing with all the other top athletes and if I was to come in the top three I would be very happy.

What are you planning to do over Christmas?

I’ll be taking it easy. I’ve been flat-out since the Valuev fight so I’ll take a couple of weeks off and relax on a beach somewhere and recuperate.

Where are you off to?

I haven’t booked anywhere yet but it’ll be somewhere hot.

Next year is another big year for you, with the first defence of your title against John Ruiz .

It is. I’ll be back in training in January and I’ll be looking to fight late-March or early-to-mid April.

Will it be difficult to get yourself up for that fight?

No way. He’s a tough Puerto Rican American, very durable and I think our styles gel. He’s an ugly fighter and I can’t underestimate anyone. I will have to be in tip-top condition again and I’ll be looking at that fight as my most important yet.

And after that it’ll be one of the Klitschkos next summer?

I’m not looking too far into the future at the moment, I have to get the job done against Ruiz and then we’ll see but yes, that would be what I am aiming for.

Tell us about taking your belt along to a Millwall game after beating Valuev.

I promised them I’d go down to The Den if I won and they won 4-1 against AFC Wimbledon that day. It was a good night, it was a great reception from all the Bermondsey boys.

You are a big star now but you’re obviously proud of your South London roots?

Yeah, I was born and bred in Bermondsey and when I was growing up I told everyone I’d be heavyweight champion of the world. I used to introduce myself to people as the future heavyweight champion and people would laugh at me. That was when I was 13 but a lot of those people have called or emailed me since and it’s nice I have made them all proud.